Growing up in New Orleans has opened my eyes to the world of wine, food & culture. My heritage is a combination of French, British & Hungarian. Add eight years of European life coupled with a wife of Italian roots & you will understand my journey into this amazing world.
Philip S. Kampe, #winelover
>>>>>>
Founder of the #winelover community.
Master of Wine student, judge at International wine competitions, wine educator and communicator.
Luiz Alberto, #winelover

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

DONNACHIARA--Campania's BEST by Philip S. Kampe

The Petitto family, from southern Italy’s
Campania
region, have been land owners for over twelve hundred years. Imagine what your
relatives looked like in the 9th century? During that time period, (13
centuries) numerous Petitto family members, both male and female, were the winemakers
for their estate. Their job was to supply the family estate with wine from
their vineyards.
During this long period, not until recently, has a first in the wine industry
of Campania
been accomplished. The last five generations (150 years) of winemakers in the
family have been women.
The most recent family winemaker, Illaria Petitto, an attorney by trade,
decided to break from the family tradition and make wine on another parcel of
family property, which is located in
Montefalcione. The land has been in the family for generations.
Production began in 2005.

The ‘Made in Campania’
wine style using modern technology paired with traditional terroir and ancient
grapes has made the DonnaChiara vineyard a leader in the region.

The area surrounding the vineyardis well known for the production of three Irpinian
DOCG wines, Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.
Illaria, like her mother, Chiara, for whom the vineyard is named (www.DonnaChiara.it) , wants to make
winesonly with grapes that are true to
the tradition of the area. As head winemaker and visionary, Illaria Petitto says
“Our grapes are very ancient and rich of history that talks about our land.
Each grape has different characteristics, as color, smell and flavor. I really
believe that to return to the original that it will help our wines to obtain
the right consideration they deserve”.
While everyone has been involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I have
had the opportunity to sample the wines of DonnaChiara, thanks to Cathleen
Burke Visscher, an

Independent marketing guru who has urged me to sample the 5th
generation female (Illaria Petitto) winemakers wines, under the relatively new DonnaChiara
label.

What I found were wines that were ‘old world’, intertwined
with remarkable ‘new world’ flavors and aromas that combined tradition with
passion in each drop. I was literally blown away by the quality and consistency
of each wine that I sampled.

DonnaChiara wines should be on your radar if you are a true
wine lover. If you are looking for a new
label, at unbelievably reasonable prices, then DonnaChiara is your answer.

The wines of DonnaChiara are readily available, although
production is limited.

What I would recommend, and I will go out on a limb, are
‘All’ of the wines that are produced by DonnaChiara.
In my opinion, each wine I sampled was an exceptional interpretation of the
grape that was represented.

My list begins with Sante Spumante Falanghina Brut IGT, a
perfect sparkling 100% Falanghia wine that serves as an aperitif before, after
or during a (seafood) meal.
At 14% alcohol, the Tarasi Reserva DOCG explodes with toasty, full, rich, dark
fruit notes that interpretthe Aglianico
grape in its original form. Just as warm and full-bodied is the Taurasi DOCG
and Irpinia Aglianico DOC, both, a natural match for game and roast. For pasta,
try Campania Aglianico IGT. Elegant seafood, lobster and crabmeat pair
beautifully with Fiano di Avellino DOCG, while Greco di Tufo DOCG pairs with
raw seafood and herb cheese. White meats have met their match with the
wonderful Beneventano Falanghina IGT.

Love and passion for tradition has paid off for Illaria. The
wines from DonnaChiara are a true testament to winemaking at its best.